This May, we are honored to bring together voices from across the UBC community to mark the United Nations Day for Biological Diversity on May 22. The 2026 theme is “acting locally for global impact”.
Working together with our collaborators across campus makes Biodiversity Days events possible! To gather their knowledge, we asked “What can our communities do to increase understanding, awareness and action for biodiversity?
They shared their top tips for collective impact, and practical ways for communities to support and steward local biodiversity. Learn how small, everyday actions can make a meaningful impact!
Want to hear more? Check out our Instagram page for a video with more tips!
What our Community Has to Say
Connect with your local greenspace
- Time spent in nature is good for human health. Pausing to observe and listen to birds, inspires connection with nature, rekindles joy, and motivates action. – Bev
- Plant a pollinator garden in any outdoor space you have access to –window boxes, patio planters, community garden plots. The birds, butterflies, and bees will thank you! – Claire
- Create meaningful, memorable experiences in nature. People protect what they feel connected to. – Tom
- Slow down long enough to notice the diversity already around you—most biodiversity goes unseen until you take the time to really look. – Tom
- Invite someone new into nature. Shared nature experiences increase biodiversity awareness and action. – Tom
Get involved in Community Science
- Participate in or plan your own community science events to help document local plants, animals, and fungi. What we count counts! – Claire
- Use iNaturalist or other public science tools to observe and document the species around you. – Matt
- Volunteer with local organizations that help steward and protect biodiversity. – Matt
- Write to your local, provincial, or federal politician to ask them to prioritize funding for biodiversity. – Matt
Our food choices can make a big difference for biodiversity,
- Grow, eat, and celebrate food plant diversity – Tara
- Choose from the Clean 15 means fewer pesticides—helping protect pollinators, soil, and ecosystems. – Liska
- Eat more plants more often – “Plant-Forward” choices can lower GHG emissions, support biodiversity, and save money. – Liska
- Look for labels that say ‘We Care’ – whether it’s supporting local, fair, just, or sustainable practices, choosing food that’s good for the Earth and the people who grow it, you vote with your fork! – Liska
- Explore UBC’s Climate-Friendly Food Toolkit to learn more and take action. – Liska
Ever wonder what bird is waking you up in the morning?
- Try the Merlin app to identify birds in real-time from songs and calls, build you very own ‘life list’, share your sightings with eBird – a global bird database. Take a moment to connect with nature and help support biodiversity through observations and care.” – Liska
Conclusion
We hope some of these action ideas gave you inspiration to take action in your daily life and within your communities.
Want to get involved? Join us at our variety of Biodiversity Days events to learn, connect, and be part of a collective effort to protect and celebrate biodiversity.
Thank you to our collaborators!
Tara Moreau UBC Botanical Garden Associate Director Sustainability & Community Programs
Bev Ramey Bird Survey Guide Nature Vancouver
Claire McPhee SEEDS Climate Resilience & Biodiversity Applied Research Coordinator
Matthew Mitchell LFS Research Associate M2L2 Lab
Tom Zadorsky Founder of Cultivara Tree Tours
Liska Richer SEEDS Sustainability Program Manager
Have a lovely spring everyone!
Written by:
Lauren and Kai
Co-chairs of 2026 Biodiversity Days
UBC Botanical Garden
